Details

Release year: 1962

Storyline

At the end of a long and hot summer day, members of one family gather in a large house. Everyone has something painful and offensive to say, and their silence is even worse.

Top credits

Directors

Sidney Lumet

Writers

Eugene O'Neill

Cast

Katharine Hepburn — Mary Tyrone
Ralph Richardson — James Tyrone
Jason Robards — Jamie Tyrone
Dean Stockwell — Edmund Tyrone

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Awards

0 wins & 1 nomination

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Did you know

• At one point during rehearsals, director Sidney Lumet felt that Sir Ralph Richardson wasn't really getting the proper measure of his character, James Tyrone. Lumet took Richardson aside and launched into a 45-minute lecture about his character's motivations. Richardson finally stopped him by saying "I see what you mean, dear boy, a little more cello, a little less flute." Lumet confessed to being enormously impressed with this way of expressing it.

• The film was reportedly shot for $435,000 over 37 days, two days over schedule. The entire film was shot in-sequence, after three weeks of rehearsals. Sidney Lumet later wrote that the total budget was $490,000. Exteriors were shot at a house on City Island in the Bronx, and interiors were on sets at Chelsea Television Studios in Manhattan.

• When director Sidney Lumet approached Katharine Hepburn in her home, she received him without even saying hello or "how do you do," and abruptly asked him a technical question about the film. Lumet said that he was not disappointed by this behavior. On the contrary, he already knew at this point that she was perfect for the role.